Both my dad and his parents were/are diabetic so within my family I really didn’t have to explain.
For the few other people I just gave the very basic of rundowns and then answered any inevitable questions as best I could. I don’t think I’ve run into many, if any who haven’t had some very basic understanding.
I knew that it could happen in pregnancy before my first and I’ve had enough exposure to regular diabetes that it was probably easier for me to wrap my head around it then some.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Welcome @sheepshepherdess :-/ I was weirdly concerned with limiting my sugar for most of the pregnancy, so maybe I’m psychic? Except I was craving and eating lots of fruit, so not that psychic
Thanks @thatbaintforbetty, I’m hoping that since I have a grandparent in each side with diabetes that folks will understand. Most people I’ve talked to think the GD itself is caused by eating too much sugar in pregnancy so I’m educating them best I can.
@fuzzywombat I was extremely conscious about sugar too! For about 20 weeks, until my craving for sour gummy worms hit I had a few candy binges, a cookie binge at Xmas, and then it was orange juice for weeks. I’ve also eaten a ton of fruit this pregnancy, but I think the simple carbs in white rice and pasta bother my blood sugar more can’t wait to get my tester so I can know a little better
I'm gonna hang here. I failed my 1-hour (did with DS) but take my 3-hour (passed with DS) on Wednesday. I had 1 elevated level on my 3-hour last pg so I did watch sugar/carb intake the rest of my pg. DS was 8lbs at 38+3 and fundal height already this pg at 28+4 is measuring 31ish. It is what it is and I just want a healthy baby.
Hi all! 2nd time with GD, been managing it since 20 weeks and on insulin for my fasting number since 25 weeks. My carb limits are very strict: 15g at breakfast and all snacks, 30-45 at lunch and dinner, 15-30 at bedtime. Sorry I'm late to the thread but glad to see one! My first pregnancy I was obsessed with fruit, this time I'm really missing horrible-for-you baked goods.
Tip from me...fair life chocolate milk is amazing at bedtime and heats up well for delicious hot chocolate. It's lower carb than regular milk and higher protein!
To each person managing this, good luck and a reminder that it's only temporary! I have to remind myself that all the time...
@sheepshepherdess ”gestational diabetes cannot be prevented by habits, it is a result of hormonal imbalances changing how the body deals with insulin that is caused by the placenta. It can be controlled with diet sometimes, and other times needs medications and always meds blood glucose testing.”
I go the science route and people learn and then also stop blaming me for something I didn’t cause (other than that I got pregnant).
I thankfully don’t have GD but failed the first test and spend 4 days learning about it while I waited for my second test and results.
Had a followup with the nutritionist today and was feeling great about my numbers and boom highest bg ever after lunch. Touché GD. @sheepshepherdess how are things going for you?
Hey @fuzzywombat, so far so good but we’ll see as I just started charting. Sorry about the high #
So far biggest issue for me is the mornings, had to change out my banana for an orange and eat everything all together instead of taking 45mins to eat! GD is weird. I’m technically also not supposed to snack within 2hrs of meals, but that’s not how my body works so I’ve been ignoring that. BG is staying normal even with extra snacks so that’s interesting.
What gauge needles are you all using? They gave me 33 and I stabbed myself 5 times and got no blood, even using all the tricks, and setting it to depth of 6. My machine came with a sample of 30gauge so I tried that and it worked immediately.
Well ladies, I'm joining the GD club. Found out yesterday that I failed my 3-hr test, so I'm supposed to meet with my Dr. on Monday.
At first I blamed myself and thought it was something I had done, but I'm feeling better the more I read about it. Even though I have no family history and was at a healthy weight pre-pregnancy, apparently being over 30 and having multiples are two of the risk factors. Especially having two placentas - double the placental hormones to throw things out of whack. I'm hoping that mine can be controlled by diet - I was eating Keto for about a year before getting pregnant, so cutting back on the carbs shouldn't be too hard for me.
Good luck to all of you ladies, and here's to healthy babies!!
@jasmine5904 welcome, sorry you have to be here I also blamed myself at first, but it’s really up to your individual body. I keep having to remind myself of that!
Be careful with keto during pregnancy though—at my GD appt with the diabetes expert, she explained that it’s not a healthy state for pregnant women, especially those with GD. This was actually a huge shock for me as I had been planning to go super low carb to deal with the GD. Best thing is to get your glucose machine and try to balance things out rather than keeping it super low.
@jasmine5904 Welcome! GD absolutely isn’t your fault and there really doesn’t seem to be a hard and fast rule as to who gets it (although as you said there are certain factors that put you at an increased chance).
As @sheepshepherdess said Keto or super low carb isn’t the goal or safe during pregnancy. Your body (and baby) needs carbs, it’s just all about the right amount of the right kind and at the right times. Although I imagine there might be some Keto snacks or tricks that might come in handy for you!
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
@sheepshepherdess Yeah, my midwife warned me against doing keto while pregnant at my first prenatal visit, so I started eating more carbs when I was like 7 weeks along. Though to be honest, I probably used that as an excuse to eat way more than I should, lol!
Welcome @jasmine5904 ! As the other ladies mentioned you have to eat carbs. I had the same exact reaction and went low carb the whole weekend before my first GD appt. I've found it's more about the type of carbs I eat... Trying to stick with complex carbs.
I also figured out that whipped cream is decadent and has low carbs, so I put it on some berries for my "dessert." Thus far this works for me, although I know I read @thatbaintforbetty can't do any dairy Every Body is different... Womp womp
That being said I totally cheated and got a mocha latte this afternoon and had a low low carb lunch to balance it out. My numbers were okay, although I think my sugar rose and then dropped because I got a little dizzy after... But it was damn tasty! (Sorry baby...)
Best of luck on this new adventure! Good thoughts to all of our tiny humans who are brewing and don't even know the sacrifices of their Mamma's!
@kayceebaby1 have you ever looked at the carb vs calorie count in milk? Like for nonfat vs 1% vs whole? It’s crazy in that they don’t match at all. When you get the lower fat version of the milk the calories go down but the carbs go up. So something like half and half (or whipped cream 😉) can work because of the higher fat content somehow works out to less carbs but more calories.
Dairy can be a big trigger for some. Which is why I have the no dairy at bedtime or breakfast rule put on me.
I agree though that placentas are super mean and this kid definitely owes me a couple milkshakes, lol.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
@thatbaintforbetty yes! We had actually cut down on "added sugar" long before pregnancy and I made the switch back to whole milk over skim! Its ridiculous how many things have added sugar.
Well I go here now. I feel totally blindsided and lost. I’ve read some of previous posts and it’s a little overwhelming. I need to read the rest. I feel for those of you who have already been on the diet for several weeks. I’m 29 weeks so I may only have ten weeks of this, but still overwhelming. I feel like I don’t know anything about it. I need to schedule my appointment to learn how to use all the equipment and everything. Glad this thread is here. I have a lot to learn.
@HGRich Hugs. I just saw your post in the glucose thread. I’m sorry you’re here but we welcome you and will have a cookie eating party when we are no longer forcibly dieting.
It can be very overwhelming. The classes and dieticians are usually very helpful in making sense of everything. And we are always here if you have questions.
Also it’s not as common but not totally out of the norm to not have it for one pregnancy and have it for the next.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
@HGRich I’m so sorry you’re joining us here for me the hugest adjustment has been feeling out of control. I agree with @thatbaintforbetty, the dietician helps with that a whole lot! Hope you can get into that appointment soon for some clarity. I also knew nothing about diabetes and really felt overwhelmed doing internet research, but my dietician laid everything out for me with some simple rules that made the whole thing much easier to understand. All the internet hugs in the meantime!
@thatbaintforbetty and @sheepshepherdess thanks much. I’m feeling better with several hours now to process it under my belt and my appointment with the dietician is set for Wednesday morning. I’m a big control freak so I agree that all of the questions and what ifs are what’s getting to me more than anything, so I’m really glad to know that meeting with the dietician will help a lot.
I just met with my doctor for the first time since my diagnosis, and she recommended the book Real Food for Gestational Diabetes. I'm downloading it as we speak, so I'm hoping it helps me (and maybe it could help some of you guys, too)! She said that she had GD with both of her pregnancies, so it was really nice to sit down and talk with her about it today. 😊
I have a message in to my dietician, but wanted to ask you all as well. It was recommended that I start with 150-250g carbs per day. 30g at breakfast, 45-60 at lunch and dinner, and 15-30 for snacks, three a day.
Well this has not worked out at all, and I kept going over 140 for blood glucose, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, so I’ve changed my types of carbs to more whole grains, taken down my fruit considerably, and am eating fewer carbs. Daily total is now under 120g. No insulin yet and I’m desperately trying to avoid it. How do these numbers compare with everyone else’s numbers?
@sheepshepherdess I’m at 165 for a day (or sometimes just below that), 120 seems way too low though. You need carbs, and it’s a balancing act for sure but at some point there is a limit to how much you can cut. Insulin sucks but starving yourself isn’t the better option.
Do you keep a food log? I sadly barely eat any fruit right now and I am not happy about it but it does work for me. Some foods will work and some won’t and it sometimes doesn’t make sense which is which. Pasta doesn’t trigger me as much as I would have thought but potatoes do big time.
Can you share what your meals/snacks look like?
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I’m keeping a food log. It’s frustrating because I was doing fine with 1 egg and 1 small toast for breakfast for about a week, and then one day I was 6pts over, for no reason I could see, and fasting levels had been normal. Fruit is a huge trigger for me, especially before noon. White rice has also been a big trigger. White potatoes do okay if I have enough protein with them. I’ve switched to quinoa and whole grains as much as I can. Avoiding pasta altogether for other reasons.
A typical day might be: Breakfast : 1 egg, 1 sm piece of toast (switching to whole wheat) or 1/4c sweet potato, optional meat. Snack : 1/2c plain yogurt with 1tsp jam (never spiked after this) Lunch : Sausage, potatoes, stir fried greens, bell pepper Snack: 2c popcorn, nuts, cheese, veggies Dinner: steak, acorn squash, asparagus, salad Snack : 1/2c ice cream (also haven’t ever spiked from this)
Though I often skip snacks just for convenience, and because I was told I shouldn’t have snacks (assuming carb snacks) within 2hrs of meals and that had been tricky.
I vary meats between chicken, fish, pork, and beef quite a bit. Have done some experiments and haven’t ever spiked after a snack. Breakfast is the worst, and then every now and then I spike at lunch or dinner because I screw up and have too many potatoes or fruit (best guesses).
Assuming I could lower carbs at meals but then just try and make up for it at snacks?
I’m thinking that another issue is not balancing the carbs properly. One day I spiked with chicken veggie and rice soup, when the week before I’d had the same amount of rice with other foods with no issues. I’m thinking there just wasn’t enough fiber to counteract the rice when it was just in the soup.
I always have whole wheat toast so I would say that’s a switch that can only help. Whole grain versions will always work better. Mornings are the most difficult for me too.
My docs were very strict that snacks are necessary. They help keep the levels stable and skipping them can cause issues. I was told 12 wheat thins and some cheese is preferred for me, it’s working best to keep me stable till lunch. But that’s also more an insulin related worry since I take a long acting type that peaks 4-5 hours later and need to sustain optimum levels till lunch.
I haven’t even tried to do white rice, it’s usually a big trigger and didn’t even feel like experimenting. I haven’t noticed a benefit of one protein over another in terms of my numbers.
I’ve found I can do less protein but can’t do less fiber. So like salad with less meat then I would get if I was eating it as part of the main course can be fine but I cannot go under on the veggies without issues. Although I try keep my protein up as much as possible, especially since she is a little on the smal side.
Also i know that as the hormone levels rise later in pregnancy diabetes levels can as well. It’s standard that if on insulin that you will increase over time in response. I would imagine that it would be true regardless of the the meds that levels can be harder to control as the hormones increase. I have no idea what the the non medicated response to that is since I’ve been in insulin both times. But the fact that you can eat one thing one week and be fine but not the next seems like a normal extension of the bodies increase in hormones and therefore it’s natural insulin resistance. I would bring it up with the doc and see what they have to say. Or ask if there is a lower limit to carb intake? I know that the exact amount of carbs can vary doc to doc but I’ve usually always been on the low side from what I have gathered so I’d be worried about taking that number lower.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I’m at 20-30 breakfast, 40-60 lunch and dinner, 15 for snacks between lunch and dinner, and bedtime snack between 15-20. So far my numbers during the day have been great but I cannot get my fasting numbers down. I’m averaging 175 carbs per day. Obviously I’m super new to this, but I keep hearing it can get worse as the pregnancy progresses too. I have to balance it all with a lot of protein too, which is making my reflux so much worse. Sigh.
sheepshepherdess I agree with @thatbaintforbetty about not skipping snacks and trying to keep your sugar even throughout the day. You don't want your sugar to dip and rise all day, you want it to stay as even as possible. At the same time, every time I see my doctor she reminds me that this is not like typical diabetes and sometimes what works one week will just not work for you and baby next week. The hormones are in control. It's incredibly frustrating. Good luck! Let us know what your dietitian recommends!
Thank you @thatbaintforbetty, @HGRich, and @kayceebaby1! Extremely helpful replies. Dietician is out of the office, but talked to my midwife and she said they are not concerned about my numbers unless over 50% of them are high. Right now it’s just a few times here and there, mostly breakfast. So that was helpful! But she did agree that I needed more carbs.
I spiked really bad today, either from craisins on a salad or from the gnocchi that might have been wheat instead of potato (ate out at lunch). Lost more weight too, but baby is measuring right on track which makes me feel so much better.
I tend to spike and then fall very quickly, so I’m thinking you all are right on about the snacks! Trying to take it one day at a time right now.
I also think you’re right @thatbaintforbetty that it’s starting to get worse as I get further along. Guess we’ll see how it goes.
@sheepshepherdess Most Doc’s will let a couple random highs go, there usually are circumstances behind them but really watch for patterns as that is the big indicator.
Also if you are spiking and falling quickly try a more complex carb and definitely stay on your snacks.
(I tried craisins on a salad and had crazy spikes too, I think dried fruit is worse than fresh) Also I’ve pretty much given up eating out, which is a huge PITA since I’m so exhausted and some days the last thing I want to do is cook. It really gets to me how difficult something like eating is with GD. Like why does it have to super extra hard when I have even less energy/time/brain power? Way to kick me when I’m down.
Also I don’t think they usually go straight to insulin this late in pregnancy. Oral meds I think are usually used and work fine when diagnosed 28 weeks or later. They do not work nearly as well when diagnosed before then, mostly because you have a longer length of time for increases and fluctuations. Or at least that’s what my MFM doc said on why I always went straight to insulin. But I am not as familiar with the standard protocol for diagnosis/treatment in the later third since I’ve always had it early.
I actually feel like my numbers are getting worse right now and I’m probably due for an increase, so it’s probably a natural hormonal jump right about this stage/time of pregnancy.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
So I’m still struggling to eat enough carbs due to anxiety. Next check-in is in a week, so I’m going to try to step it up this week. I don’t think I’ll ever get to 45 carbs in a meal, so my dietician is fine with 2 snacks between lunch and dinner- today I set alarms to make sure they happen on time. Stopping at the store after work to load up on snacks. Anyone tried premiere protein shakes? They seem to be the rage of all the gd forums
Well I’m going on glyburide for the overnight fasting numbers being too high. Just at night for now, which is nice. I’m weekly here on out for growth scans and NSTs, which is so crazy to me. Measuring right on track now though, so he’s not too big at the moment!
@sheepshepherdess watch out for craisins! They're not just dried cranberries... they're usually filled with fruit juice (lots more sugar).
@HGRich so glad baby is measuring the right size!!
@fuzzywombat@thatbaintforbetty Sooooo many alarms in my life... I had to totally alter my morning routine to make sure that I was able to do fasting and after-breakfast before my morning commute.
I’m super late to this game but my doctor just called today and said I failed my 3 hour test. Im 30+5...ugh disappointed and frustrated to be in this club but glad I can read through the thread for comfort/advice!
@stacisaun Welcome! Sorry you are joining us but feel free to ask questions. I think it was mentioned already in here but meeting with the diabetes group/instructor/dietician really helps, but in the meantime there is definitely lots of info in this thread.
On the plus side, start planning your first meal after delivery, lol.
Mine is donuts and since my sister feels bad for me she has promised me a dozen all my own!
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I just found out today they’re diagnosing me with gd. At first I was really upset and stressed out about it, mostly just feeling like it was my fault somehow even though I know it’s not really. And worrying about it affecting the amount of birth interventions I’ll have to deal with. But then I spoke to my midwife and she said only my fasting number was high and it was apparently right on the cut off. Like the cut off is greater than or equal to 5.3 mmol/L and my number was 5.3. But they still want me monitoring my blood sugar at home and doing the diet and they’ve referred me to an endocrinologist. I’m ok with monitoring and changing my diet for the health of my baby but I feel like all the stress of the diagnosis is so unnecessary for a borderline result like that.
Anyway I guess I’ll see what the nutritionist and endocrinologist say. I’m so glad this thread is here so I don’t feel so alone in this!
I’m lurking from May. I got the call today that I failed my 3 hr and I’m waiting to hear from the nutritionist. This is my 4th pregnancy and first time with GD. I was wondering if any of you ahead of me on this journey could share some helpful questions to ask when I meet with the nutritionist.
@peaceinnature I’m sorry your joining us. But welcome! If it helps they only thing I remember them doing extra for labor was I couldn’t opt out of an iv. Labor is a physical task and therefore keeps your levels pretty in check but they want that line in just in case. It can mean more complications but that doesn’t mean it will. Especially if you were so near the cut off it’s unlikely to cause major changes to your birth plan.
I am on insulin and therefore the more high risk side of GD but even so my doc is fine with my desire to go as med fee as possible despite the possibility of being induced. Remember even easy pregnancies can have complex labors and the best plan is an open mind. My DD was sunny side up, the doc flipped her, she flipped back. Babies dictate the way it goes and their way doesn’t always match ours.
@fatmonica Welcome! They are usually really good at explaining all about GD. I’ve had it twice and gone through 3 different insurance/health systems with it. (1 last time, and 2 this time due to switching insurance halfway through) They should give you lots of info on how to judge the amount of carbs in food (besides reading label info, cause fruit doesn’t have labels) and how much carbs they want you to aim for at each meal/snack. They will also go over how to balance out your meals (protein/carb/veggies) to help with the levels. Some people find that it’s not so much an adjustment of what you eat but how much, and some are the opposite. A food log is your friend, it will help you see patterns, especially if you have certain trigger foods. Dairy is a trigger for me, I can’t have it early morning or bedtime but not everyone is that way. There is a bit of trial and error because your body doesn’t always react exactly the same as others. There is also a wealth of info in this thread and please ask questions if you have them.
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
@thatbaintforbetty that’s all so true, thanks for the reassurance! I think I’m just feeling the usual apprehension about the unpredictability of labor and birth and this is just adding to it. I’m reminding myself that all the care providers are there to help me and the baby stay as safe and healthy as possible.
I just found out I’m not meeting the nutritionist until a week from Monday and before that I have to take a two hour gd management class. But what do I do until then? I called my midwifes clinic and asked but it was just the student and she said to “watch my carb intake.” I’m not sure she really has a lot of info or experience with gd. I guess I’ll just avoid like really sugary desserts and white bread and stuff like that?
@peaceinnature Up your veggies for sure since fiber counters carbs. And since you are borderline I would just get into the habit of looking at the labels and carb count of what you eat. Generally they say to switch to whole grain versions whenever you can. Fruit, milk, starchy veggies also count as carbs. I would avoid or moderate desserts and things you can probably guess or assume have a high carb count. (White bread, white rice, potatoes, etc...) You still need carbs, don’t cut them completely but aim for like 45 to 60 grams of carb per meal and like 15 to 30 carb so for snacks. They might have different levels but those are probably a good starting point. You also need calcium so don’t cut dairy, just be mindful of its carb status.
Ohh calorieking.com lists the carb/fat/calorie content of tons of foods. Restaurants, brands and all sorts of stuff
this is my backup acct. prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014 BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Thanks for the welcome! I have my GD glass this coming week too. The lady who called from the perinatal center made a BIG deal that I failed 3 out of the four blood draws. She also mentioned things like having a NST every week from here on out bc of the possibility of deteriorating placenta and things I thought were rude/scary to mention over the phone considering I know nothing about this yet or the complications of having GD. Hoping this class sheds some light on what to expect and none of us have the issues this lady was telling me could arise 🤷🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️😒
Re: GD Thread
For the few other people I just gave the very basic of rundowns and then answered any inevitable questions as best I could. I don’t think I’ve run into many, if any who haven’t had some very basic understanding.
I knew that it could happen in pregnancy before my first and I’ve had enough exposure to regular diabetes that it was probably easier for me to wrap my head around it then some.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I was weirdly concerned with limiting my sugar for most of the pregnancy, so maybe I’m psychic? Except I was craving and eating lots of fruit, so not that psychic
@fuzzywombat I was extremely conscious about sugar too! For about 20 weeks, until my craving for sour gummy worms hit
Married: 6/2016
TTC:6/2016
BFP: 11/22/2016 | EDD: 7/29/2017
Tip from me...fair life chocolate milk is amazing at bedtime and heats up well for delicious hot chocolate. It's lower carb than regular milk and higher protein!
To each person managing this, good luck and a reminder that it's only temporary! I have to remind myself that all the time...
”gestational diabetes cannot be prevented by habits, it is a result of hormonal imbalances changing how the body deals with insulin that is caused by the placenta. It can be controlled with diet sometimes, and other times needs medications and always meds blood glucose testing.”
I go the science route and people learn and then also stop blaming me for something I didn’t cause (other than that I got pregnant).
I thankfully don’t have GD but failed the first test and spend 4 days learning about it while I waited for my second test and results.
@sheepshepherdess how are things going for you?
So far biggest issue for me is the mornings, had to change out my banana for an orange and eat everything all together instead of taking 45mins to eat! GD is weird. I’m technically also not supposed to snack within 2hrs of meals, but that’s not how my body works so I’ve been ignoring that. BG is staying normal even with extra snacks so that’s interesting.
What gauge needles are you all using? They gave me 33 and I stabbed myself 5 times and got no blood, even using all the tricks, and setting it to depth of 6. My machine came with a sample of 30gauge so I tried that and it worked immediately.
At first I blamed myself and thought it was something I had done, but I'm feeling better the more I read about it. Even though I have no family history and was at a healthy weight pre-pregnancy, apparently being over 30 and having multiples are two of the risk factors. Especially having two placentas - double the placental hormones to throw things out of whack. I'm hoping that mine can be controlled by diet - I was eating Keto for about a year before getting pregnant, so cutting back on the carbs shouldn't be too hard for me.
Good luck to all of you ladies, and here's to healthy babies!!
Be careful with keto during pregnancy though—at my GD appt with the diabetes expert, she explained that it’s not a healthy state for pregnant women, especially those with GD. This was actually a huge shock for me as I had been planning to go super low carb to deal with the GD. Best thing is to get your glucose machine and try to balance things out rather than keeping it super low.
As @sheepshepherdess said Keto or super low carb isn’t the goal or safe during pregnancy. Your body (and baby) needs carbs, it’s just all about the right amount of the right kind and at the right times. Although I imagine there might be some Keto snacks or tricks that might come in handy for you!
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I also figured out that whipped cream is decadent and has low carbs, so I put it on some berries for my "dessert." Thus far this works for me, although I know I read @thatbaintforbetty can't do any dairy
That being said I totally cheated and got a mocha latte this afternoon and had a low low carb lunch to balance it out. My numbers were okay, although I think my sugar rose and then dropped because I got a little dizzy after... But it was damn tasty! (Sorry baby...)
Best of luck on this new adventure! Good thoughts to all of our tiny humans who are brewing and don't even know the sacrifices of their Mamma's!
Damn placentas.
Dairy can be a big trigger for some. Which is why I have the no dairy at bedtime or breakfast rule put on me.
I agree though that placentas are super mean and this kid definitely owes me a couple milkshakes, lol.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
It can be very overwhelming. The classes and dieticians are usually very helpful in making sense of everything. And we are always here if you have questions.
Also it’s not as common but not totally out of the norm to not have it for one pregnancy and have it for the next.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
knew nothing about diabetes and really felt overwhelmed doing internet research, but my dietician laid everything out for me with some simple rules that made the whole thing much easier to understand. All the internet hugs in the meantime!
Well this has not worked out at all, and I kept going over 140 for blood glucose, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot, so I’ve changed my types of carbs to more whole grains, taken down my fruit considerably, and am eating fewer carbs. Daily total is now under 120g. No insulin yet and I’m desperately trying to avoid it. How do these numbers compare with everyone else’s numbers?
Do you keep a food log? I sadly barely eat any fruit right now and I am not happy about it but it does work for me. Some foods will work and some won’t and it sometimes doesn’t make sense which is which. Pasta doesn’t trigger me as much as I would have thought but potatoes do big time.
Can you share what your meals/snacks look like?
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
A typical day might be:
Breakfast : 1 egg, 1 sm piece of toast (switching to whole wheat) or 1/4c sweet potato, optional meat.
Snack : 1/2c plain yogurt with 1tsp jam (never spiked after this)
Lunch : Sausage, potatoes, stir fried greens, bell pepper
Snack: 2c popcorn, nuts, cheese, veggies
Dinner: steak, acorn squash, asparagus, salad
Snack : 1/2c ice cream (also haven’t ever spiked from this)
Though I often skip snacks just for convenience, and because I was told I shouldn’t have snacks (assuming carb snacks) within 2hrs of meals and that had been tricky.
I vary meats between chicken, fish, pork, and beef quite a bit. Have done some experiments and haven’t ever spiked after a snack. Breakfast is the worst, and then every now and then I spike at lunch or dinner because I screw up and have too many potatoes or fruit (best guesses).
Assuming I could lower carbs at meals but then just try and make up for it at snacks?
I’m thinking that another issue is not balancing the carbs properly. One day I spiked with chicken veggie and rice soup, when the week before I’d had the same amount of rice with other foods with no issues. I’m thinking there just wasn’t enough fiber to counteract the rice when it was just in the soup.
My docs were very strict that snacks are necessary. They help keep the levels stable and skipping them can cause issues. I was told 12 wheat thins and some cheese is preferred for me, it’s working best to keep me stable till lunch. But that’s also more an insulin related worry since I take a long acting type that peaks 4-5 hours later and need to sustain optimum levels till lunch.
I haven’t even tried to do white rice, it’s usually a big trigger and didn’t even feel like experimenting. I haven’t noticed a benefit of one protein over another in terms of my numbers.
I’ve found I can do less protein but can’t do less fiber. So like salad with less meat then I would get if I was eating it as part of the main course can be fine but I cannot go under on the veggies without issues. Although I try keep my protein up as much as possible, especially since she is a little on the smal side.
Also i know that as the hormone levels rise later in pregnancy diabetes levels can as well. It’s standard that if on insulin that you will increase over time in response. I would imagine that it would be true regardless of the the meds that levels can be harder to control as the hormones increase. I have no idea what the the non medicated response to that is since I’ve been in insulin both times. But the fact that you can eat one thing one week and be fine but not the next seems like a normal extension of the bodies increase in hormones and therefore it’s natural insulin resistance. I would bring it up with the doc and see what they have to say. Or ask if there is a lower limit to carb intake? I know that the exact amount of carbs can vary doc to doc but I’ve usually always been on the low side from what I have gathered so I’d be worried about taking that number lower.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Obviously I’m super new to this, but I keep hearing it can get worse as the pregnancy progresses too.
I have to balance it all with a lot of protein too, which is making my reflux so much worse. Sigh.
I spiked really bad today, either from craisins on a salad or from the gnocchi that might have been wheat instead of potato (ate out at lunch). Lost more weight too, but baby is measuring right on track which makes me feel so much better.
I tend to spike and then fall very quickly, so I’m thinking you all are right on about the snacks! Trying to take it one day at a time right now.
I also think you’re right @thatbaintforbetty that it’s starting to get worse as I get further along. Guess we’ll see how it goes.
Also if you are spiking and falling quickly try a more complex carb and definitely stay on your snacks.
(I tried craisins on a salad and had crazy spikes too, I think dried fruit is worse than fresh) Also I’ve pretty much given up eating out, which is a huge PITA since I’m so exhausted and some days the last thing I want to do is cook. It really gets to me how difficult something like eating is with GD. Like why does it have to super extra hard when I have even less energy/time/brain power? Way to kick me when I’m down.
Also I don’t think they usually go straight to insulin this late in pregnancy. Oral meds I think are usually used and work fine when diagnosed 28 weeks or later. They do not work nearly as well when diagnosed before then, mostly because you have a longer length of time for increases and fluctuations. Or at least that’s what my MFM doc said on why I always went straight to insulin. But I am not as familiar with the standard protocol for diagnosis/treatment in the later third since I’ve always had it early.
I actually feel like my numbers are getting worse right now and I’m probably due for an increase, so it’s probably a natural hormonal jump right about this stage/time of pregnancy.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Stopping at the store after work to load up on snacks. Anyone tried premiere protein shakes? They seem to be the rage of all the gd forums
I have alarms for my morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and to start dinner. It’s the only way I remember to (mostly) eat on time.
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Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I’m weekly here on out for growth scans and NSTs, which is so crazy to me. Measuring right on track now though, so he’s not too big at the moment!
@HGRich so glad baby is measuring the right size!!
@fuzzywombat @thatbaintforbetty Sooooo many alarms in my life... I had to totally alter my morning routine to make sure that I was able to do fasting and after-breakfast before my morning commute.
On the plus side, start planning your first meal after delivery, lol.
Mine is donuts and since my sister feels bad for me she has promised me a dozen all my own!
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Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
Anyway I guess I’ll see what the nutritionist and endocrinologist say. I’m so glad this thread is here so I don’t feel so alone in this!
I am on insulin and therefore the more high risk side of GD but even so my doc is fine with my desire to go as med fee as possible despite the possibility of being induced. Remember even easy pregnancies can have complex labors and the best plan is an open mind. My DD was sunny side up, the doc flipped her, she flipped back. Babies dictate the way it goes and their way doesn’t always match ours.
@fatmonica Welcome! They are usually really good at explaining all about GD. I’ve had it twice and gone through 3 different insurance/health systems with it. (1 last time, and 2 this time due to switching insurance halfway through) They should give you lots of info on how to judge the amount of carbs in food (besides reading label info, cause fruit doesn’t have labels) and how much carbs they want you to aim for at each meal/snack. They will also go over how to balance out your meals (protein/carb/veggies) to help with the levels. Some people find that it’s not so much an adjustment of what you eat but how much, and some are the opposite. A food log is your friend, it will help you see patterns, especially if you have certain trigger foods. Dairy is a trigger for me, I can’t have it early morning or bedtime but not everyone is that way. There is a bit of trial and error because your body doesn’t always react exactly the same as others. There is also a wealth of info in this thread and please ask questions if you have them.
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019
I just found out I’m not meeting the nutritionist until a week from Monday and before that I have to take a two hour gd management class. But what do I do until then? I called my midwifes clinic and asked but it was just the student and she said to “watch my carb intake.” I’m not sure she really has a lot of info or experience with gd. I guess I’ll just avoid like really sugary desserts and white bread and stuff like that?
Ohh calorieking.com lists the carb/fat/calorie content of tons of foods. Restaurants, brands and all sorts of stuff
prevously helloblueeyes
Me:32 DH:33 Married:04/2012 DD:07/2014
BFP 8/14/2018 #2 due 4/18/2019